Vibrational Modes of PMDA Compounds

Undergraduate: Drew Roberts

Faculty Advisor: Laurie McNeil
Department: Physics & Astronomy

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By adapting a technique for recording the infrared spectrum of crystals using potassium bromide, I have studied the vibrational modes for a variety of organic, semiconducting materials. By measuring peaks in the infrared spectrum at a variety of temperatures, between 80 Kelvin and room temperature, it is possible to gain insight to the structural bonds of the molecules. First in this presentation, I will review the techniques used in the experiment. Finally, I will compare the vibrational modes of several PMDA-based organic crystals.